Aborigines win big land claim

2003-12-09 13:45

Sydney - An Australian court on Tuesday ended a 10-year legal battle over 7 900km² of land by handing a partial victory to the Miriuwung and Gajerrong tribes in the remote Kimberley region.

The agreement extinguishes native title over half the disputed area in the state of Western Australia, but gives the Miriuwung and Gajerrong rights over the other half.

Marjorie Brown from the Miriuwung and Gajerrong tribe told Australia's ABC Radio it had been a long fight.

"I know that all my people are very excited with the coming of this day," she said. "People are going to celebrate."

Over 40% of the continent is subject to native title land claims by Aborigines, who make up less than 2% of the population. - Sapa-DPA

- SAPA